Home Schooling Your History

by Attorney Camara WilliamsBefore I knew about bondage, I was taught about royalty (Mansa Musa, Hannibal). Before I read about transatlantic slave trade triangle, I was taught about pyramids and spice trade of Eastern Africa. Before I heard about slave illiteracy I was told about The University of Timbuktu. Before there was slave history, there is African History.

My parents made sure that I knew the entirety of my blood history, not just portions that were spilt for profit and pain. This played an important part in my

self identity and outlook. I was not ashamed of my history, but proud of it. So when it came time for me to learn about slavery as a child, I only saw that as part of my story--not the entirety.

It also helped me understand how my people could be resilient in the face of adversity, and where that power came from.

Lastly, my learning of black history didn't stop in 1863, but continued as I came to learn about African American achievement in the 19th and 20th century. February is black history month, which is great, but rather than this be 28 days of black education in your household, let it be a celebration of the previous 337 days of enlightenment.

It is not the schools job to empower your children, it's the parents. Teach your child about the incredible tapestry of Black History. Because how can a child see their power, if they never knew it existed.

Black history was so real in my house growing up, that not only did I have to do summer book reports (created by my mom) of famous black individuals. We had a framed painting of Marcus Garvey (in full regalia) hanging in our home. That realness was established long before I had a say in the matter.